Manager Planning - Westchester, IL

Follett Higher Education is a leading educational service provider and omnichannel retailer, providing students, faculty, staff, parents, and fans with the course materials, learning tools, and retail services needed to successfully support the collegiate journey. Follett Higher Education supports over 6 million students through its 1,100 physical and 1,750 eCommerce campus stores across North America.

The Planning Manager leads and develops general merchandise planners in managing various General Merchandise offerings to positively impact financial results in the U.S. and Canada.

Responsibilities:

• Communicates and implements organization financial strategies through planners to positively impact inventory dollars (open-to-buy and markdowns) in support of inventory turnover goals and margin plans. Manages the development and execution of financial plans and disposition plans by store and department for sales, markdowns, margins, inventory and liquidation. Completes year-end financial analysis of planning staff by store, category and style.
• Monitors assortment mix, inventory levels, and in stocks (via OTB and assortment review) within regional planning team. Reviews planning and replenishment strategy by season. Identifies and pursues sales driving opportunities.
• Leads planning team via accountability, trainings, innovations around reporting, and building more efficient processes.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent; preferred field of study in business, retail, fashion merchandising, or supply chain
• 5 - 8 years of retail merchandise planning/allocation experience, including 3-5 years of managerial experience.
• Retail apparel experience required; specialty retail experience desired.
• Previous planning and buying experience with a solid understanding of financial and statistical analysis of both.
• Intermediate-level proficiency in MS Office with advanced proficiency in Excel.
• Knowledge of Retail Math is required.
• Advanced experience with merchandise management systems.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong organization skills and attention to detail with the ability to meet deadlines, multi-task, and complete work in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated creativity and innovation to positively impact merchandise sales and process improvement.
• Ability to engage in business travel up to 15%, including overnight travel.